Named for the unusual shape of the over 8,500 marble blocks on the façade, Palazzo dei Diamanti is one of the most famous Renaissance buildings in the world. Count Sigismondo d’Este, brother of Duke Ercole I d'Este commissioned the palazzo, choosing Biagio Rossetti as his architect. Construction began in 1493, with the palazzo located in the ideal centre of the so-called "Addizione Erculea", one of the most important and beautiful examples of Renaissance city planning.

1494
Various documents attest that the construction work had already begun on the palazzo, which was designed by Biagio Rossetti.

1496
The façade of the building was already decorated "in marble and diamonds."

1503
The completion of the building is entrusted to Cristoforo da Milano and Girolamo da Pasino, while the commission for the sculptures on the façade was given to Gabriele Frisoni.

1559
The palazzo was inherited by Cardinal Luigi d’Este, second son of Duke Ercole II. He built the great staircase and the decorated ceiling for the large salon on the first floor.

1586
Cesare d'Este inherited the palazzo. He commissioned a decorative cycle, which is partially conserved, and made a number of changes to the palazzo, such as the large salon on the piano nobile and the "Benvenuto Tisi" rooms on the ground floor, which are on the route of visits to the Pinacoteca and the temporary exhibition halls.

1598
The House of Este transferred its seat to Modena after the devolution of Ferrara to the Pontifical State, however, they retained ownership of the palazzo.

1641
The palazzo was sold to Marquis Villa, who commissioned various changes, such as the addition of the sculpted candelabras at the sides of the entrance.

1832
The City of Ferrara acquired the building in order to house the Pinacoteca and the local University.

1944
The building was badly damaged by bombardment. Various restorations took place in the post war period.